Planning commission approves Albion cell tower antenna modification and 10-year permit renewal

The Mendocino County Planning Commission on Feb. 20 approved a coastal development use-permit modification to alter antenna equipment on the existing Albion communications tower and renewed the site permit for up to 10 years.

Staff said the project would remove 16 antennas and six radio units and install 11 new antennas and eight radio units on the existing 105-foot monopine tower and add new cabling and equipment within the existing lease area. "This is a coastal development use permit modification of existing communications facility to remove 16 antennas and 6 radio units and install 11 new antennas and 8 radio units," Planning staff said in the presentation.

The modification does not propose changes to the monopine tower height or to the ground equipment layout, staff said. The site is about 1.06 miles south of the town of Albion, east of State Route 1 at 2335 North Highway 1 (parcel 123-370-03). Staff found the project consistent with the Mendocino County General Plan and the Local Coastal Program and concluded the proposal is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 (Section 15301), covering operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing or minor alteration of existing facilities.

No members of the public spoke at the hearing on the item. After staff presentation and brief commissioner questions about visual analysis and views from the public right-of-way, a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution approving the coastal development permit modification and renewal "subject to the findings and conditions of approval as noted in the resolution." The motion passed unanimously on roll call.

The resolution and conditions of approval attached to the staff report spell out standard requirements for the facility and reference an RF (radio-frequency) report prepared for the project dated March 28, 2024. The record notes the original use permit (U10-2012) expired Jan. 16, 2024; the approved action renews permit authority for up to 10 years.

The Planning Commission action is a recommendation-level land-use decision; any subsequent appeals or administrative steps are governed by county procedures in the staff report and the adopted resolution.